Blame it on the A-a-a-altitude

So we finished the Incan Trail yesterday and I got a really bad cold while I was on the hike. I defintely learned the meaning of the Peruvian Proverb I named my blog after because each little step can take you so far.

The first day wasn´t too bad because we all had energy and were excited to start our journey. There are these men called Porters that strap so much to themselves like, tents, tables, little stools, plates, a gas tank, and other necessities to cook our food, etc. They were all incredibly nice and the food was amazing.

I got a cold after the first day and it got worst as each day went on because it was so hard for me to sleep. I was so conjested that I couldn´t even sleep at night which made it even worse. The second day was the hardest part of the hike because we had to hike up the steepest part of the mountain for the majority of the day. It seemed like every five minutes I had to stop and catch my breath because it was so hard to breathe in the altitude. Luckily I was able to pay a Porter to take my bag for the day which is amazing considering the amount of stuff they already have to carry, and they still were able to hike past us without any trouble.

I fell once the first day and again on the last day. Luckily both times didn´t hurt but because I felt like such crap by the last day I couldn´t help but cry because of my frustration. I just wanted to be done with the trail. I could barely enjoy the hike and I just wanted it to be over with. When we were finally finished I could barely talk because my cold had gotten so bad. I even started crying as I was giving the walking stick back to the guide who I rented it from. He told me ´don´t cry señorita´. He probably thought I was crying because I was sad the hike was over but I was just so stressed and sick that I couldn´t even help myself from tearing up.

Luckily after I was able to finally shower after the past four days of hanging out in my body stank I felt ten times better. I still have a slight cold today but it is definitely not as bad. I have a feeling another good night in a bed will put me at 100% again.

I´m really glad that I was able to do the Incan Trail even though I regret the sick part, but it is an amazing feeling that I finished it.

Tonight we are taking a train ride to Ollyantantambo to do community service for a poor elementary school. Our group is going to paint the outter wall of the school which is going to make it look so much better and help the school out a lot. We visited the children there about a week ago and all of them are so precious. I can´t wait to see them again. Afterwards we´re headed back to Cusco to hang out just for a day or too before heading back to Lima to start classes.

I hope everyone is doing well! I can`t wait to see you once I´m back in the States. Thanks for keeping up with my blog. Catch you on the flip side!